T-track?

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I am finishing an entertainment center and planning my next project which will be Norm's deluxe router table.

There appears to be several different kinds/brands of T-track. Is there any significant difference between them?

[Cyrus Brewster 7]

Ken,

Take a look at this thread from a couple of months ago. It is pretty thorough:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?180103-Which-T-track

Also, FYI Rockler has their 48" track on sale for $15. Too bad their free shipping ended yesterday.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Thanks Cyrus. Great thread!

[Bruce Wrenn]

Ken,

Take a look at this thread from a couple of months ago. It is pretty thorough:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?180103-Which-T-track

Also, FYI Rockler has their 48" track on sale for $15. Too bad their free shipping ended yesterday.Free Shipping thru April 6th (tomorrow) using code 2R001. When new catalog offers so much off, free shipping goes away. April catalog offers so much off, so free shipping disappeared. Don't worry, it will be back.

[Thomas Canfield]

Ken, If you are going to install the T-track in 3/4" plywood, the I strongly recommend going with the 3/4" W x 3/8" H to give more thickness for attaching and strength. There are several sources for those out there and some different styles, but you may need to buy some additional T-bolts to fit the smaller grooves for attaching some of the fences, feather boards, and other accessories.

[Michael Mayo]

I am currently working on my own router table build and need to purchase some t-track myself. The plans call for using the Rockler mini t-track which I have used before but I don't like the way the plans attach the fence to the mini t-track. So i decided to go with these:

http://www.ttrackusa.com/Assets/09_images/t%20and%20Miter%20Track/miter_t_bar_200.jpg (http://www.ttrackusa.com/track_%20systems.htm)
I think they will hold the fence more accurately and will slide better than the mini t-track and some t-bolts. The bottom track is actually 3/4" X 3/8" with a t-slot in the bottom of it so i am also ordering a length of that to use as a miter track in the front of the table. I will just drill and tap the inner track to the fence base and this should make it very solid and accurate.

[Rick Potter]

Ken,

I mostly use the Rockler, just because they are close. Works fine. The one suggestion I have for you is to use the size that takes the toilet bolts, they slide so much easier than the type with the bolts. Use the 5/16" bolts for everything, and things will always be interchangeable. I have several jigs and guards that I can use on more than one machine.

Rick Potter

[Jim Andrew]

I have some mlcs t track, which works well with 1/4" toilet bolts, and the Rockler, which works well with 5/16" toilet bolts, and bought the track with bolt kit they had on sale. Is there any company that sells reasonable priced 1/4" T nuts? Have plenty of 5/16, but not enough 1/4".

[Curt Harms]

I have some mlcs t track, which works well with 1/4" toilet bolts, and the Rockler, which works well with 5/16" toilet bolts, and bought the track with bolt kit they had on sale. Is there any company that sells reasonable priced 1/4" T nuts? Have plenty of 5/16, but not enough 1/4".
If you have a fastenal nearby and the inside of your T-track is 1/2" these may work. 11.25 mm = .44" so it would slide nicely in a 1/2" slot. Our fastenal will order small quantities and we pick 'em up in a couple days.
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0961758

[Clint Baxter]

I got my nuts through Fastenal. Have worked great and not that expensive. I've also gotten some of my t-tracks from Woodpeckers. They have some nice specialty tracks that come in handy.

Clint